Multiplex musical instrument



(No Model.)

J. H. WHEELER.

MULTIPLEX MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

No. 481,451. Patented Aug. 23, 1892.

WiI/nmu JZZM WWW UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN H. WVHEELER, OF SAUGATUOK, MICHIGAN.

MULTIPLEX MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 481,451, dated August23, 1892.

Application filed April 18, 1892. Serial No. 429,658. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN H. WVHEELER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Saugatuck, in the county of Allegan and State of Michigan,have invented a new and useful Improvement in Multiplex MusicalInstruments, which improvement is fully set forth in the fol lowingspecification and accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a generalview of my improved multiplex musical instrument, and Fig. 2 the sameinclosed in an umbrella and smokingcap.

My invention relates to improvements in multiplex musical instruments;and its object is the combination, in one device, of a violin, twoFrench harps, and a flute or fiageolet, forming altogether a novel andinexpensive quartette of instruments and an exceptionally attractivesource of amusement for social circles and for burlesque musicalperformances on a concert-stage.

The invention consists of a violin the body of which is contracted inwidth and depth, but otherwise adapted for strings of the ordinarylength and number. The head of the violin is extended in the form of abar, which provides space for two French harps or mouthorgans and aflute or similar instrument, all serially arranged.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, 1 designates the violin providedwith the usual appendages, such as tail-piece, bridge, fingerboard, andtuning-pegs. The top and bottom are made of suitable material and gluedto the sides, which consist of a continuous hoop. The size and form ofthe violin may be made as desired. Practical experiments have shown thatan extreme width of three inches and a proportional depth produce a toneof remarkable strength and quality.

The French harps 2 and 3 follow in serial order. They may be inserted onopposite sides of the bar, but preferably 011 the same side, in orderthat the performers may face an audience. It is desirable that the harpsbe of different registers, thereby increasing their compass. The outerend of the bar is bored longitudinally and forms a flute 5, providedwith suitable vents G and mouth-hole 7. If desired, the flute may bereadily transformed into a fiageolet by placing a suitable mouthpiece onthe end and closing the mouth-hole.

The capacity of the combination may be materially increased by providingthe flute or fiageolet with a suitable number of valves. By this means aperformer will be enabled to execute solos in different keys oraccompany the violin in duets having chromatic passages. It will bemanifest that in the hands of capable musicians it is capable ofproducing novel and genuine musical effects, as Well as being anunfailing and irresistible source of merriment.

The instrument is conveniently protected and made portable by inclosingit in an umbrella and smoking-cap, as shown in Fig. 2. The umbrella isprovided with a tip made in the form of a thimble, which fits the headof the flute and is secured by a set-screwor other suitable appliance.The smoking-cap is first placed over the violin and gathered about itsneck. The umbrella is then closed over the folds of the cap and fastenedin the usual manner.

What I claim as new is The herein-described multiplex musical instrumentcomprising the violin 1, two French harps 2 and 3, and a flute orfiageolet 5, serially arranged, as shown, in combination with anumbrella and smoking-cap, substantially as and for the purposes hereinset forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this5th day of April, 1892, in the presence of witnesses.

JOHN II. IVHEELER.

Witnesses:

W. A. WOODWOETI-I, CHARLES THEW.

